Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a Occupational Therapist to join a supportive and friendly Older Adults Occupational Therapy team in West Essex, working across a number of community sites.

The role offers a varied caseload with opportunities to deliver both group-based and one-to-one occupational therapy interventions for older adults with mental health needs, including cognitive impairment and dementia.

The post provides experience in screening older adults for therapeutic groups, alongside preparing and facilitating a range of interventions, including Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). You will work closely with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, contributing to reviews and care planning meetings, and will gain experience delivering community-based occupational therapy interventions within patients' home environments across West Essex, supporting independence, safety, and quality of life.

You will be responsible for providing a high standard of occupational therapy assessment, advice, intervention, and evaluation for older adults referred to the service.

The role includes regular clinical supervision, reflective practice, and structured support for ongoing professional development and Band 6 progression within Older Adults mental health services.

The post holder will be required to travel independently between community sites across West Essex as part of their day-to-day role, including transporting equipment and intervention resources as required.

Main duties of the job
The role is Band 6 but Band 5 development will be considered.

You will use a range of appropriate occupational therapy assessment tools and approaches to assess older adults' abilities, strengths, and difficulties in relation to their identified goals and occupational performance in everyday activities.

Plan, facilitate, and lead group-based interventions, ensuring sessions are purposeful, outcome-focused, and responsive to the needs of older adults, including those with cognitive impairment or dementia.

Screen and assess patients for suitability for group interventions, contributing to effective care pathways and group formulation.

Manage a caseload of complex community-based cases, working autonomously within professional boundaries and with appropriate support and supervision from senior members of staff.

Support and supervise junior staff, students, and support workers as required, contributing to their learning, development, and delivery of high-quality occupational therapy interventions.

About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description for full details of the role.

In summary, you will work as a core member of the Occupational Therapy team within the wider Specialist Dementia and Frailty Service for West Essex.

You will work collaboratively with the MultiDisciplinary Team (MDT) to deliver highquality occupational therapy assessment, care planning, and intervention for older adults with complex needs. The role also includes providing advice, guidance, and practical support to carers, promoting independence, safety, and quality of life.

Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential

• HCPC Registered
• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy

Desirable

• Evidence of post qualification study/ CPD relevant to role

Clinical Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Experience working with older adults with mental health and or cognitive impairment/ dementia
• Experiencing of providing evidence based interventions 1:1 and within group settings.
• Experience supervising qualified and/ or unqualified staff in a clinical setting.

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of assessment and provision of adaptive equipment to support user independence and safety
• Experience as Fieldwork educator
• Experience contributing to quality improvement initiatives.

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Flexibility to visit patients in home environment and cover groups over a number of different sites.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).